Pogba praised but pundits call for him to show his form in the big games

  /  autty

Paul Pogba excelled again for Manchester United in their devastating 4-1 win over Bournemouth but he has been warned he needs to show similar form in the big matches.

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Craig Bellamy hailed the performance of the Frenchman after he grabbed a brace and an assist for Marcus Rashford on Sunday.

But with high-flying Tottenham on the horizon and Paris Saint-Germain to come in the Champions League, Pogba has been challenged to dominate matches against the elite sides in Europe.

'His critics will say he's done it at Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth,' Redknapp said.

'He's got to go and do it against Tottenham now at Wembley, that's the benchmark. He was criticised and blamed for the manager going but it proves it wasn't just him there were a number of players who were letting themselves and the club down but now that's gone so it will be interesting to see where they can go now.'

Pogba was maligned under former manager Jose Mourinho, particularly near the end of the Portuguese's reign when he was labelled 'a virus' having fallen out with his boss.

But since interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken charge, Pogba looks a new player, free of distraction and fall-out.

'His game was so good today and he deserves the criticism,' Redknapp added.

'When he's at his worst he's like a caricature of himself, but today he was at his best and he was phenomenal.'

Pogba scored a first-half brace before orchestrating a fourth goal of the day for substitute Romelu Lukaku with one of the notable changes since Solskjaer took charge his advancement up the pitch.

Craig Bellamy, alongside Redknapp as a Sky Sports pundit, believes he is now in the areas where he is at his most effective.

'I have been very critical of him in the past,' the former Manchester City and Liverpool striker said.

'You see that performance today and he is outstanding. You can't criticise his ability as a footballer. He has all the attributes to be a fantastic player but I want him doing it in the right areas and today he was breath-taking.'

Related: Manchester United Pogba Jamie Redknapp
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